AHMED ALI, KAFANCHAN
Fulani communities under the auspices of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kaduna state Chapter has extended its peace initiative to the entire Southern Kaduna communities, urging all the chiefdoms and emirates of the geopolitical zone to move toward peace.
It comes two weeks after warring parties of Fulani, Atyap and Hausa communities in Atyap Chiedom of Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna state met in a peace-and-reconciliation meeting organised by the traditional ruler of Atyap Chiefdom, Agwatayap Dominic Gambo Yahaya.
This was contained in a communiqué signed by the Kaduna state Chairman of the Association, Haruna Usman Tugga and other executives at the weekend.
The summit, chaired by Dr. Salim Umar called on all the communities not to harbour criminal elements among them but promptly report any suspicious person or activity to the appropriate authorities and also recommends the establishment of Joint Community based Peace and Security Committee at all level to monitor and maintain peace and order among the neighbouring communities.
The 8-point resolution, which called on the farmers to desist from blocking the local and international cattle route, also called on the pastoralist to stop allowing the underage children from rearing cattle in order to prevent further destructions of farm produce within the area and beyond, and promised to reverse to the olden days relationship with their neighbouring communities in the area.
As the communiqué commended the effort of the security agencies especially ‘Operation Safe Haven’ for maintaining peace in the area, they also appealed to the state and federal government to assist those who have lost their cattle and other valuables.
In his remark, the Senator representing Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, Danjuma Tella Laah, said the Fulani of southern Kaduna as well as other tribes of the area are all indigenous people of southern Kaduna, therefore, warned the people to shun inflammatory comments and avoid calling names to each other.
He urged all the parties concerned to take a recourse to when the Fulani and other tribes coexisted harmoniously, noting that only peace can pave way for any meaningful development.
In her remark, the Executive Vice Chairman of Kaduna State Peace Commission, Dr. Priscilla Akut, said it was the desire of the state government to ensure lasting peace, and encouraged other communities to also emulate MACBAN by holding periodic parleys to review peace.
The meeting had in attendance representatives of various security agencies, MACBAN chairmen of Plateau and Nasarawa states as well as other Ardos and different Fulani organizations
Culled from Daily Trust